ABOUT

Created to inspire you to climb your mountain from the Ground UP.

ABOUT GROUND UP ADVENTURES

Ground Up Adventures specializes in educational guided hikes, preparing aspiring adventurers to get outside safely and teaching you the tools you need to feel empowered on the trails AFTER your guided experience.

Ground Up Adventures was born out of frustration with the lack of educational resources for aspiring outdoor enthusiasts. With a strong belief that the outdoors is for everyone and it should be an accessible space–we bridge the gap, equipping you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to make adventures safe, enjoyable, and approachable for all. Whether you’re a first-time hiker ready to explore the wild, or looking to level up your wilderness skills, we’re here to guide you every step of the way, so you can feel self-reliant and confident on all of your adventures to come thereafter!

All adventures are designed to meet you where you’re at and are customized just for YOU!

Some things we teach:

What to Bring & Why
How to Pack & Fit Your Bag
Leave No Trace
Trail Etiquette
Injury Prevention
What to Do in Wildlife Encounters
How to Prevent Wildlife Encounters
Risk Management
Navigation Basics
& More!

ABOUT OUR MOUNTAIN RANGE

The Sawatch Range of the Rockies, spanning 100 miles of mountains, is home to more 14,000 ft+ mountains (also called 14ers), than the entire state of California, Colorado, or any other Rocky Mountain Range.

The Sawatch Range in Colorado has deep roots going back to the gold and silver rushes of the late 1800s. Many of the trails we use today were originally built to access mining camps, and you can still visit old ghost towns like St. Elmo, Winfield, and Vicksburg tucked into the mountains. In the 1960s, these peaks started drawing more outdoor adventurers. One memorable moment involved a few Harvard students hauling a fourteen-foot metal flag pole up Mt. Harvard to mark its height and status as the second-highest peak in the lower 48. It stayed up there for almost 20 years before being removed in an effort to preserve the wild feel of Colorado’s high peaks.

Fast forward to today, the Sawatch Range and Arkansas River Valley are booming with outdoor recreation. The area offers some of Colorado’s best hiking, whitewater rafting, and fly fishing—plus it includes Leadville, the highest incorporated city in the United States. With stunning views and endless adventure, it’s easy to see why this place has become such a magnet for locals and travelers alike, for our guides included!

ABOUT YOUR GUIDES

SHELBY MANN | OWNER, HEAD GUIDE

Hi there, I’m Shelby!

I’m a professional hiking guide and outdoor educator in the Land of Giants: Buena Vista, Colorado.

From the moment I first laid eyes on the Rockies, I felt more at home than I ever had my entire life. I had never felt more called to anything than I did to these mountains. I picked up my entire life in the midwest, and within two weeks was living in Colorado. Fast forward almost a decade, and now the mountains are the place I know best. These mountains hold their own magic, and they truly changed my life.

I grew up camping, fishing, shooting, hiking, and spending countless hours in the woods. Since moving to Colorado eight years ago, I have hiked thousands of miles, most of them as a solo female hiker. I have eagerly learned as much as possible out here and am constantly expanding my knowledge, nature being the best teacher of all.

The Great Outdoors Changed My Life

My passion for the great outdoors has led me on numerous unforgettable experiences that I would never have lived had I not taken the first step out of my comfort zone. These experiences have enriched my life, and I know they can do the same for you. My goal as a hiking guide is to show you how special nature is.

I wanted to find a way to show others how healing the mountains can be, how much they can teach you about yourself and life, and to educate you with the tools you need to get outside so you can get out and explore on your own.

Certifications:

Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
Wilderness Anaphylaxis Trained (WAT)
CPR
AIARE 1

FRANKIE SPONTELLI | ADVENTURE GUIDE & PHOTOGRAPHER

Hi there, I’m Frankie!

I’m an experienced outdoor guide, adventurer, and landscape photographer based in Buena Vista, Colorado. Originally from Ohio, just like Shelby (and an Ohio State Buckeye), I’ve spent over a decade exploring Colorado’s breathtaking parks, rugged wilderness, and hidden gems, capturing the beauty of the outdoors and creating unforgettable experiences along the way.

My journey in the great outdoors began as a passion for adventure, chasing golden light and photography. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with renowned brands and tourism boards, including National Geographic, Outside Magazine, Backpacker Magazine, Visit Colorado, REI, and Visit Boulder. My camera has taken me across some of the most incredible landscapes, but my heart always leads me back to Colorado’s iconic mountain ranges, serene alpine lakes, and sweeping valleys.

When I’m not behind the lens or guiding hikes, I’m out exploring Colorado’s backcountry with my wife, Ashley, and our trail-loving pup, Rizzo, who enjoys backpacking just as much as we do. Together, we’ve tackled some of the state’s most jaw-dropping treks, including the Four Pass Loop, Conundrum Hot Springs, Blue Lakes, and Crater Lake—each adventure deepening our love for the wild places that make Colorado so special.

Through hundreds of miles hiked, I’ve learned that nature is the best teacher—and oftentimes, the best therapist too. My goal as a guide is to not only help you navigate these awe-inspiring places but also to share the healing and transformative power of the outdoors. Whether it’s your first adventure or your hundredth, I’m here to make sure you feel safe, inspired, and equipped with the knowledge and confidence to explore on your own.

I believe that every hike and adventure is a chance to connect with yourself and the natural world in a deeper way. Let’s create unforgettable memories together while immersing ourselves in the beauty and magic of Colorado’s wilderness. Check out Frankie Spontelli Photography.

Certifications: